Electrical position-indicator



H; L TANNER. ELECTRICAL POSITION INDICATOR.

y APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5,19I5.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.l

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

H. L.' TANNER.

ELECTRICAL POSITION INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5.19I5. 1,332,312.- Patented Ma1-.2,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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H. L. TANNER.

ELECTRICAL POSITION INDICATOR.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

m. w m 7m V O WJ. #n i A "UNTTED STATES PATENT foFFroE.

IHARRY L. TANNER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE SPERRY GYROSCOPE COMPANY, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION .OF'NEVI' YORK.

ELECTRICAL rosITIoN-.INDIoAToR Specification of-Letters Patent. Patented B131. 2, 19,20.

Application inea June 5, 1915. serial no. 32,254.`

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY L. TANNER, a citizen of the United lStates of America, re-

siding at 221 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn,

New iQYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Position- Indicators, of which thel following is a speciication.

' My invention relates to apparatus for indicating the range of a distant object. As

`well known, the accuracy of such instruments is greatly increased 'by Aemploying a long base line, that is by separating the two sightinginstruments as far as possible. The usual method employed in these long' base instruments is totransmit electrically the angle that each telescope makes with the base line vto a central point where the readings are combined in some manner-by which the range may be obtained.

yT he main object ofmy invention is to improve the construction of theelectrical transmitting mechanism whereby the greatest possible accuracy is obtained.v Other objects of my invention will become apparent as I describe myinvention in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of one of the sigl'iting instruments showing the transmission mechanism in place. Fig. 2 is a vsection of a portion of the clutch used in turning the instrument by hand. Fig. 3 is a d'etail of the reduction 'gearing used in connection with some ot the transmitters. Fig. t is a side elevation of the automatic means for throwing certain of the transmitters' in circuit upon a predetermined signal. Fig. -la isa diagram to illustrate the manner in which these instruments are used to determine the range. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a time contact device controlling the transmission'mechanism. Fig. 6 is'a wiring diagram of my complete transmission system.

As this invention relates particularly to the transmission mechanism, only so much of a sighting instrument is shown as is connected with. the transmission mechanism. Also, only one transmission mechanism is illustrated in full, as the two instruments are preferably duplicates.

In Fig. 1 the reference numeral 1 denotes a portion of. the main casing. On this casing is rotatably mounted the table 2- which carries the sighting telescope (not shown) on brackets 3. A scale 115 may be provided on table 2 so that the observed angle may be read at each sighting instrument. The main support or pillar 4 which carries brackets 5 lall of the 4transmission mechanism and a largeworm gear 6. The table is rotated by means of a worm '7 meshing vwith said yworm gear 6 and'mounted on a shaft 8.' 'A handwheel 9 mounted on a second shaft 10 isused to no'rmally'rotate worm but means arep'rvidd. to render the handwheel inoperative upon a-predetermined 'sig nal. This 'means (Fig. 2) consists of a solenoid 11, the "movable core 12 of which is slidably but' non-rotatably secured to shaft 10 as'fby means l0I" pin 13. Said pin is secured to va small shaft 14 which extends `m vtransmission'mechanism is geared to a large gear 21 securedupon a central' eXtension 22 from the table 2, a pinion 23 being may bedof any approved type and isl shown as a four-section rotatable commutator with four brushes 105. three of thesections being provided with alternate conducting and insulated portions, so spaced as to transmit impulses ih rotation to a repeater 'motor such as motor 24 shown in the wiring diagram. Transmitter 2() 'is designed to transmit only the coarser'readings of the angularposition of the 'sighting instrument; that is, one stage' of the transmitter may be made equivalent te Jfrom 1' to 5 rotation of the sighting instrument. In order to transmit the finer divisions'of the angle, I employ one or more auxiliary' transmittersA 25, 26, one of which 'casing l also carries by means of suitable 'provided -forV this'purpose. Transmitter 20 may be used, for instance, to transmit some -fractionall part of adegree, such. as minutes or hundredths of ay degree, while. theiotlier may be used to transmit even smaller fractions, suchasseconds or thousandths of a degree. In order to secure such great aG- curacy it; Willbe evident thattransmitters 25 and 26 if connected directlyA as transmitter- 20 would have to be continually rotated ata very high speedivhich would destroy their.- eiciency and seriously interfere with turning the entire sighting instrument'.A Accord ilngly, I provide novel means whereby these transmitters are not rotated eontinuousliv but are only actuated.' when. the sightingvinstrument isbrought. upon the target. and inzeferably. also. only whenthe sighting instrument is -atrest My idea is that since transmitter 20-will send out the main divisions ,of the angle-the other.- transmitters Kneed only, send out the fractional parts thereof. 'Ilhus if? the angle to. be transmitted were 911.435Q transmitter 20 would send out 90, transmitter 25,. 1.49 and transmitter` 26, .0359. '.lransmitter4 25 isconnected withthe instru-ment. in'. the followingmanner.:

A pair -of gearsi 27 f and28-;are-.mountedf so ast'ofmesh W-itli'the large gear. 21. An idler 29 )mounted on a pivoted. arm 30 andl meshing with bothgears 27 A andf 28.may, be provided..toiequalize-the wear on both sides of theteeth-of pinion '28 and to preventlosses throughbaeklash ofthe teeth. A vfiat-spring 31 secured to arm 30'andihaving itsouter endbearingagainst an adjustable set.I screw 32 may bensedftofimpartqspring pressure to the .arm- 30..

@Mounted ontheshaft of, pinion 28 is a larger. gear 8.3 which meshes with a second pinion34. The shaft-35 of pinion 34'carries one-,portion of a; Contactl device 36wl1ich is .lesigned to .control a-.motor 37. Contact device-36 isshown as consisting of aV doublefacod. disk `137.` mounted on a shaftz 35,'.the

; upper` portion of which is providedfwith slip rings 38 and;39,.:- (see. Fig. .6): andfthe-lower portion ofrwhichisprovidediwith arpair of reversingisegments40tand=41 which are connected with the corresponding slip rings.

' Disk 137is made as'light andwvith as small --a nlolnent. of= inertia asp0ssible,.since it is rotated at a veryfhighspeedwhen the table is turned.` regardthis ras veryimportant as afheavy-disk-.with a comparatively large -moment1 of: inerti-awould.- introduce serious 33;. 39 andthe.` brush;` or trolley44 which is upward, carryinor designed to contact with the reversing segments 40 and 41 are normally held out of Contact with their respective rings so that motor 37 is normally unexcited and di'sk 137 is free to revolve Without the friction of the brushes. Special means are provided to throw the brushes into contact with disk 137 on a predetermined signal, the nature of which will be more fully explained hereinafter. Trolley 44 is pivotally mountedwithin a drum 45 secured to a vertical'sliaft 46. The trolley is preferably spring biased. to operativo position, as by spring 100, a pin 101 being provided to maintain the trolley in the proper' position. Preferably drum 45 is provided with graduations 102, which are read in connection with a fixed pointerv 103. Shaft 46 is provided with a gear 47 which meshes with pinion 48 driven 'by a motor 37 thereb7 providing a follow-up connection from the motor to the contact device. Shaft 46 is rotatably andslidably mountedfin. bearings 4S andfisy supported adjacent itslower end by member 49. which is secured' to or forms a part of thearmature-Oof;an1electro-magnet- 51. 0

A-contact system 52, similarto. system 36 already described, is also .provlded'for transmitter 2,6, the onlyxdifl'erence being that the shaft 35 of drum1371 is rotated. at a much higher speed than. shaft.35., a$ by means-of step-up gearing 53.l Where posslble allof the gears used in the transmission mechanismv are made so as totake up .the lost motion between the teeth. A simple .mchod is to make the largerv gears inl two.l parts, 160. 161 (see worin wheel 6) connected by a spring 162 (Fig. 3) so that the space between the teeth. is always filled. Said contilt device 52.is preferably mounted adjacent' device .S6-so that a single mechanism may be used to close the circuit onboth. devices. The foot of shaft 46', therefore, off drum 45; also rests uponpivoted member. 49.1andv1s geared to a corresponding motor 37;. A link is pivotally secured tofmember 49 adf jacent one end and-is connected adjacentI its upper end to a member 56. pivoted at' 57 to the frame 58. Member 56; carries the brushes42, 43 and,42, 43 so thatwhen said. member is, oscillated onl its/.pivot the brushes. are-brought into; contact witlrthelr respective slip rings. An adjustable stop 59 may. be-provided for member 56. The action of this portion of the mechanism isas 'follows-2 Normally the. brushes anditrolleysfare out of: contact with disks137i and 137. but-when electro-n'iagnet 51 is. excited armature 50 is drawn up., thus pushing drums 45 and 45 with them trolleys 44 and causing the trolleys to contaotf with-one or both of strips 40, 41 oneach disk.-4 A1 stop.

upward movement. At the same-timeflink 13o 55 causes member 56 to throw the four brushes down. into contact with their slip rings thus rendering both contact mecha nisms operative to actuate the motors 37, 37. These motors preferably are of the reversible eld type as shown in Fig. 6 and are so connected with the contact strips 40, 41 that the fields are reversed when the trolley crosses from one contact to the other, thus reversing the motor. The motors serve to drive the transmitters and 26.

- Then the contacts are made, the motors 37, 37', through their following upy connections 42, 43, 44, etc., bring the trolleys 44 around to the zero position by the shortest path, and at the same time rotate the transmitters 25 and 26 so that the repeater motors 150 and 160 in the receiving instrument will actuate an indicator which will' reproduce the readings of drums and 45 on which the trolleys are mounted.

The above described operation may be clearly understood by assuming that the brushes 42, 43 are in. engagement withthe slip rings 39, 38l and that the trolley 44 is in engagement with the contact 41. The following circuit is then established .from one side of the battery S to the trolley '44, through contact 4l, slip vring 38, brush 437 one of the oppositely wound fields of the motor 37, through the armature thereof, through the elements 79, 80 and to the other side of the battery S. This causes the motor 37 to rotate the trolley 44 in a direction toward the zero position with respect to the disk 137 until .the trolley 44 is between the contacts41-40, when the above traced circuit is broken. If on the other hand the brush. 44 engages contact 40 on energization of olectromagnets .51 the following circuit is established: from one side of battery S to the trolley 44, through contact 40, slip ring 38, brush. 42, the other of the oppositely wound fields o'f the motor 37, through the 'armature thereof, through the elements 79,

to the other side o f the battery S. This circuit causes the motor 37 to rotate the trolley 44 in a. direction toward the zero position with respect to the disk 137 but in a direction opposite to the rotation caused by closure of trolley on vcontact 41. This rotation continues until thetrolley 44 is between the contacts .4l-40 when the last traced circuit is broken. The circuits of the motor 37 are similar and need no further 137 is due to the fact while the worm 7 holds table 2 from turning, disk 137 has considerable freedom of vibration on account of the step-up. gearing and the lost motion devices employed in connection therewith. It is important, therefore, that disk 137 be made light so as to oomefto rest quickly under the resilient centralizing influence of the centralizing devices 162 and that when it has come to rest, that a stop be applied thereto to prevent its turning withndrum 45.

Coming now to the means forgoverning the period at which the motors are operated, it should be remembered that the two sighting instruments or stations A and B (Fig. 6) are designed to operate conjointly and to transmit the angles to acentral sta.- tion. lt is therefore important that the two stations transmit their'angles at the same time and only when each sighting instrument is on the target.. A circuit closing means, such as buttons 61 and 62, is

provided on the two instruments which the operator presses when his telescope is in the correct position. vA lamp or othersignaling device 63 is placed on each instrument in circuit with the buttongon the other instrument so that each operator may know when the other operatory 'isready' to transmit. The electro-magnet 51, however, is not directly placed in these circuits, but special means are provided tol insure lthe conditions (l) that both the telescopes are on the target and (2) that neither instrument is rotated while the angles are being transmitted.Y For this purpose provide the auxiliary control instrument "shown, in Fig. 5 and also inthe wiringdiagram at C. This instrument preferably comprises 'a pair or electro-magnets 64 and 65each of which is in circuit with one of the buttons 61 or 62. A novel .form of linkage is provided to be actuated by said velectro-magnets, which is so designed as to be operated only when both magnets are excited simultaneously. This linkage is shown as `comprising a vlever 66 ypivoted at '67. Pivoted on said lever at 69 is a rocker arm 68. pair of links 70 and `71 which also serve as the armatures of the electro-magnets 64 and 65 are pivoted adjacent their inner ends to a. fixed post 72 andy are pivotally and slidablyY secured. adjacent their A. outer ,ends to the rocker arm 68 as by n'ieansof pins 7 3 on said arm and slots 74A in l,the ends of' each of said links. s

A stop. 75 is-provided adjacent the'end of lever 66 against which a rotatable arm 76 is adapted to strike.

Arm 76' is mounted is geared to a large gear 78 forming part ot' a clockwork (not shown in full). A spring-pressed releasing device `may-be provided to releasey arm 76v from. stop 75 manually if desired. Also mounted on shaft on a shaft 77 ',which vas stop 75 iswithdrawn by the conjoint action of magnets 64 and 65, theclockwork willirevolve arm 7f3-and drum 7 8A until the magnets release the stop so that. the arm again strikes. it.. During approximately a complete. revolution'current will pass from br'uSliBO. to brush 7 9 through contact; drum 78.y These brushes are placed in circuit with all. of the following electro-magnetic devices on each of the instruments A and B: rst, the solenoid 11 which governs clutch 16,vv 17 ,i second, electro-magnets 51 controllingcoiitacts36 and 52,.and, third, the. contacts 36 and v52 with their motors 37, 37. It will be seeuthatthe first, secondand third groups: of elements abovedescribed are shown y.connected in parallel witheach other and in series with brushes 79, 80. The time that it takes. the arm 76 to make' a. complete revolution isso adjusted as to. allow the transmissionmechanisin sufficient-time. to transmit. the angle, thus positively preventing rotation of: thefsighting instrument` andof the disks 137, 137 While the brushes Aare inv Contact with saidv disks and while the transmitters 25 and 26 are being gset. y

The operation of therdevices forming my invention will be readily understood, it is thought, without further explanation. While my` method.' of transinittingzthe angies ,is Yvvell adapted for operating, any form of indicator. from the readings of which the range'may be calculated,it is especially Well adapted tothe system .of range calculation. described in thev copending applica tionosDr. Elemer. Meitner for range calculating ap aiatus, filed' June 18, 1915, Serial No.. 34,80?.

Figs' 4 illustrates very roughly a portion of the method'employed. Inthis. diagram AandB-arethe twofangles made with the baseline. D. It-will be readily apparent that 4R,.the-range, mayA be. easily obtained if. angle C. is. known, andalso that CIB-A But in actuall practicefit isfoundthat: C or Bef-A is found to=lie between certain smalLlimits, such-asl 59. Hence to obtain the value B-A, it is not necessary. to. transn'iittheentire. value. of A and B, but only their valueswithin 5.0. The. application of this to my invention will'be apparent vfrom the.- followingA example: If A were 88.125 and B were91l263f, transmitter 20need not be used. Transmitters. 36 and 52 in station A would: transmit 9.0-*88125 or 1.8750, while .corresponding transmitters in station B. wouldf transmit 91.263.` 90 or 1.2613), the

sum oltwhichl or 3.138o would give us the valueyB-A. y

It should be noted that the repeater motors and `transmitters (Fig. 6) are not placed inthe. iiiterruptable circuitwith device C andmotors 37., but are kcontinuallyv in circuit with each other and with the supply' source S. By this means I insure the repeaters remainingz'in step with their respective trans mitters, Whileat the same time providing other means .whereby the high speed repeateIS are not actuated when the sighting instruments are; .being adjusted.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent. statutes, yI have herein described the principle. of. operation of my invention, to-

.gether-withthe-apparatus which I now con- Sider.' to. `:represent thek best embodiment thereo f, pbut I. desire to have it understood that1 .rtheapparatus shown is only-`l illustravtive and that the. invention .can be carried out .liyii othermeans. Also, while it is designediftou'se ftlievarious .features and elements:in thelconibination vand relations described,;.so me.o these may be altered and others @omitted without-interfering with the vlmore generalLr'e'sults ,outlined, and the'inventioirY extends to .such use. Having :described my invention, what I Vclaim.y and; desire to secure by Letters PatentisiuA i y l lnIIn atransmission system, the combina- .tioii Witha sending instrument, of a transmitterconnected thereto for transmitting .steps of predetermined magnitude, a second transmitter for 4transmitting steps of `less magnitude, and, mechanically disconnected fromsaid, instrumentand means for rotatiiigjsaidsecond transmitter when said first transmitter is at rest.

'2Q I n ..alr,ange finder a plurality of sighting instruments, manual settingmeans for each instrument',v angle transmitting mechanism connected-to leach instrument, a switch on each-instrument, means controlled by all of sa'idswitches adapted to render inoperative said.v setting'ineans for a predetermined interval', when all of said switches are ,ac-

w3. In a range finder a plurality of sighting'instrument's, manual setting means for each instrument, angle transmitting mecha- .nism associated with each instrument but n'oi'vniallyv disconnected therefrom. a. switch on each instrument, means controlled by all of said switches for rendering said setting .means inoperativev and other means also controlled by alljof said switches for rendering, said transmission mechanism operative to transmit th'eangle.

Q4. In combination, a plurality of sighting 'instruments, a transmitter associated with and means `for rendering said first mentioned means ineffective unless all of said switches are in a predetermined position.

5. In transmission mechanism, the combination with a sending instrument, .of a

contact device operable by said instrument,

a reyersible motor in a normally open circuit with said device, means for closing said circuit, a follow-up connection between said motor and said device and a transmitter operated by said motor.

6. Means for transmitting the angular position of a master instrument comprising a plurality of transmitters adapted to be connected with said instrument so as to be rotated at multiple speeds, and means for connecting certain of said transmitters only at the time the master instrument is in a desired position.

' '7, In transmission mechanism, the combination with the master instrument, o t' a transmitter continuously .actuated by said instrument, a portion of a contact device connected with said. instrument so as to rotateV at a higherspeed thansaid transmitter, a-complementary portion of said device, the two portions being normally out of contact, a translating .device controlled by said contact device, a follow-up connection between the translating device and said complementary portion, a second transmitter driven by said translating device, and controllable means for closing the two portions ot'vsaid contact device.

S. In a range finder, the combination with two sighting instruments movable at variable angles to a given base line, of a portion of a contact device connected with each instrument, 'a complementary portion oi said device located adjacent thereto but normally out ot' contact therewith, a translating device controlled by each Contact device, a follow-up connection between the translating device and said complementary portion, a transmitter driven by each translating device', mechanism ou each instrument for closing the two portions ol each contact device, and interconnected governing means for both ot said mechanisms, whereby said transmitters are only rotated when said governing means are simultaneously actuated.

9. In a range finder a plurality oi sighting instruments. manual setting means for each instrument, angle transmitting mechanism connected to each instrument, a switch on each instrument, means controlled by all of said switches adapted to render inoperative said setting means for a predetermined interval, when all of said switches are actuated, and a signal on each instrument controlled by a switch on one of the other instruments.

10. In a range finder, a plurality of sighting instruments, angle transmitting mechanism associated with each instrument, but normally disconnected therefrom, a switch on each instrument, and a signal on each instrument controlled by a switch on one of the other instruments.

11. In a range inder, the; combination with a master instrument, of step-up gearing connected thereto, said gearing containing a resilient, lost motion device, a contact member rotated by said gearing, a complementary contact member, means for causing said second member to assume a fixed position with respect to said rst vmember, .a brake for said first member and means for bringing said two members together and for simultaneously applying said brake. e

12. In a range finder, the combination with a master instrument, of step-up gearing connected thereto, said gearing containing a resilient, lost motion device, a contact member rotated by said gearing,'a complementary contact member, means for causing said second member to assumea fixed position with respect to said first member, a brush for said rst member, said Kbrush serving to introduce current to said rst memberAv and also acting as a brake. 13. In angle transmission mechanism, a. resiliently centralized, rotatably supported contact disk, means for transmitting to a distance the position of said disk comprising la'member adapted to 'follow the said disk` a :trictionless trolley mounted on said member, a non-rotatable friction brush, means for bringing said brush and trolley into substantially simultaneous engagement with said disk, a transmitter, and means in'circuit with said disk, brushl and trolley for actuating both said transmitter and said Jfollowup member.

'14. Means for transmitting the angular position of a master instrument comprising a plurality of transmitters adapted to be connected with said instrument so as to be rotated at multiple speeds, and means for preventing turning ofy the master instrument during the time taken to transmit the angle readings. f l

15. In a range finder a plurality of sighting instruments, manual setting means for each instrument, angle transmitting mechanism connected to each instrument, a switch on each instrument, means for preventing turning of each instrument and means responsive only to the actuation of all of said switches for rendering said preventing means operative.

16. In transmission mechanism, the combination with a sending instrument, of a contact device operable by said instrument, a reversible translating device in a normally open circuit with said contact device, means for closing said circuit, a follow-up connection between said translating device and said contact device, a transmitter operated by said translating device and a repeater 4motorin a closed circuit with said transmitter, whereby said repeater motor is only actuated when said :contact device is closed, but is continuousl)v ,in circuit with its transmitter.

17. Means for transmitting the angular position of a master linstrument comprising a pluralit)T of transmitters adapted to be connected with said instrument so as to `be rotated at multiple speeds, means for connectingcertain of said transmitters only at the time :the master instrument is in a desired position, and Vlneans for preventing turning of tlieinaster instrument during the time 1taken to transmit the angle readings.

18. In a transmission system, the combination 'with a' sending instrument, of a transmitter connected 'thereto for transmitting .steps of predetermined magnitude, a second transmitter fortransmitting steps of less magnitude, a reversible translating de vice connected ftosaid second transmitter, a

reversing switch operable by said instrument and by said ltranslating device, and means for opening and closing-a circuit between sziid translating :device and said switch.

1-9. In a range nder, a sighting instrument, an angle vtransniitting mechanism associatedivith said instrument, means ccnnecting said instrument and mechanism, and means controllable at Will for ren dering'said first mentioned means effective, or for rendering said irst mentioned ymeans ineffective Without preventing the actuation of said instrument.

20. In a range finder, a sighting instrument. an angle transmitting mechanism associated with said instrument, but normally disconnected therefrom, means for .rotating said instrument, means for rendering 'said mechanism operative, and means for simultaneously preventing rotation -ot' said sighting instrument.

'21. 'In transmission mechanism, the combination with a sending instrument, of a contact vdevice operable by said instrument, a reversible translating device :controlled by said device, means for rendering said device mengen effective for ineffective to control said translating device, a follow-'up connection betweensaid devices land la transmitter roperated b. said second named device 22. n Icombination, a 'sending Ainstrument, means for transmitting .areading of said zinstrument when 'the latter -fis stationary'fand means for preventing movement offsaidin-l strument While said reading is 'being transmitted.

23. In combination, a sending instrument, means controlled by said sending-instrument for transmitting a reading of said instrument when the -latter is stationary .and means for preventing movement o'saidiinstrument while said reading is being `transmitted.

'24. lIn a range finder, a sighting .instrument, angle transmitting mechanism associa-ted with said instrument, but 'normally inoperative, a .second transmitting mecha nism connected to said instrument :and means for `rendering said 'first'named mechanism yoperative at will.

'25. In combination, a sighting instrument, a transmitter, means controlled by :said Ainstrument for actuating said transmitter, and means -for preventingloperation of said ri'rst named 'means on movement oit said sighting instrument.

26. In combination, a sighting instrument, a transmitter, Ameans lcontrolled 'by said instrument for actuating said transmitter, and means controllable at will for preventing operation of said first named means on movement of said sighting instrument.

:27. 1in-combination, a sending instrument, manually operable means tor moving said sending instrument, means controlled'byfsaid sending instrument for transmitting areading of said instrument when the Alatter is stationary and means for preventing unanual movement of said instrument 'whilesaid reading -is being transmitted.

In vtestimony `whereof I have signed my name lto this "specification this 4th day yof June, 1915.

HARRY L. TANNER. 

